EP0657137A1 - Fetal heart detector - Google Patents
Fetal heart detector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0657137A1 EP0657137A1 EP94308177A EP94308177A EP0657137A1 EP 0657137 A1 EP0657137 A1 EP 0657137A1 EP 94308177 A EP94308177 A EP 94308177A EP 94308177 A EP94308177 A EP 94308177A EP 0657137 A1 EP0657137 A1 EP 0657137A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ultrasonic
- signal
- ultrasonic receiving
- detector
- loudspeaker
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/02—Measuring pulse or heart rate
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
- A61B5/024—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate
- A61B5/02411—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate of foetuses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/43—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the reproductive systems
- A61B5/4306—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the reproductive systems for evaluating the female reproductive systems, e.g. gynaecological evaluations
- A61B5/4343—Pregnancy and labour monitoring, e.g. for labour onset detection
- A61B5/4362—Assessing foetal parameters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
- A61B8/0866—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings involving foetal diagnosis; pre-natal or peri-natal diagnosis of the baby
Definitions
- This invention relates to a fetal heart detector, in particular to a hand held detector.
- Conventional fetal heart detectors include hand held, audible detectors which are formed in two parts connected via cabling.
- the first part is an ultrasonic probe having two angled ultrasonic crystals, one for transmission and one for reception.
- An ultrasonic signal is continuously transmitted typically at a frequency of 2 MHz and this causes reflections from surfaces in the medium through which it passes.
- the receiving crystal continuously senses reflected signals.
- This doppler shift is typically in the audio range when caused by movement of a fetal heart wall and the signal can be amplified and output directly through an audio loudspeaker in the second part.
- the main advantage of an audio output to a pocket monitor is that it enables the mother to hear the fetal heartbeat, thus reassuring the mother. Additionally in view of its focused ultrasonic beam it allows earlier detection of the fetal heart beat than a bedside monitor where a larger transducer having a divergent beam is used.
- a hand held detector may be used by a mid-wife in the home or in a hospital, or by consultants to give the heart rate of the fetus.
- the heart rate may be displayed directly on the monitor.
- a self contained hand held fetal detector comprises ultrasonic receiving and transmitting means; selectively actuable ultrasonic receiving and transmitting circuits connected to the ultrasonic receiving and transmitting means; control means for actuating either the ultrasonic receiving circuit or the ultrasonic transmitting circuit; and a loudspeaker connected to the ultrasonic receiving circuit for generating an audio output signal, the detector comprising a single unit and the control means including means for modifying at least one of the transmitted and received signals, to prevent interference in the received ultrasound.
- the modifying means comprises means for causing a pulsed signal to be transmitted.
- the ultrasonic receiving circuit and ultrasonic transmitting circuit are actuated with a time delay, between the end of a transmission period and the start of a reception period, such that an area ahead of the transducer is provided in which everything reflected within that distance is not detected by the receiving circuit thereby cutting out near field interference and feedback due to the reflections affected by moving parts of the loudspeaker. This allows a single piece monitor to be manufactured.
- the detector further comprises shift means to shift the frequency or phase of the audio signal by a non-integer multiple of the audio-frequency.
- a device which can fulfil this function is a "pitch shifter" which can be inserted into the audio amplifier section of the circuit.
- Such devices produce an output signal which is a frequency shifted version of any audio signal presented to the input.
- the signals of interest are already the result of a frequency shift (the Doppler effect) so provided the signals remain in the audio bandwidth the effect of being shifted once by a few semitones is of little significance.
- the device to give a frequency shift which is a non-integer multiple of the input frequencies, the effect on potential feedback signals is to change their frequency and hence their phase each time they re-circulate through the system so they are unable to reinforce and are quickly shifted out of the audio bandwidth preventing unwanted tones.
- the audio signal is full wave rectified. This allows a smaller loudspeaker to be used.
- the detector further comprises display means to display a digital output relating to a frequency of a signal received by the ultrasonic receiving circuit.
- a digital output of the heart rate may be displayed at the same time as the audio output, for the benefit of the midwife or consultant using the monitor.
- the detector further comprises a sealed housing and wherein the loudspeaker is covered by an impermeable membrane.
- the seal and membrane are waterproof and dustproof, making cleaning easier and allowing the detector to be used during water births.
- a loudspeaker 9 is housed 40 separately from a transducer circuit 41.
- a transmitter 1 is driven by an oscillator 2 to excite a transmitting crystal 3.
- the transmitting crystal is angled relative to a receiving crystal 4 such that when an ultrasonic signal emitted from the crystal 3 impinges on a moving object and is reflected back it is reflected towards the receiving crystal 4 with a differential frequency in the audio range.
- a signal received in receiver 5 is rectified 6 and filtered in a filter 7 to obtain the differential audio frequency output which is then amplified by an amplifier 8.
- the amplified signal is output to the loudspeaker 9 via a connection cable 44.
- FIG 2 a detector in accordance with the present invention is shown.
- a loudspeaker 11, control switches 14,15 and digital display 12 are provided within a single body 13 which provides a waterproof cover, together with their associated circuitry (not shown). Operation of the detector is via the pair of control switches 14,15 for controlling the volume of the output and a single ON switch 16 for switching on the monitor.
- An ultrasonic transducer 17 is provided in one end of the body 13 of the monitor.
- FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of one example of the circuits mounted within the detector 13 of Figure 2.
- a transmitter 21 is connected between an oscillator 22 and a single crystal 23.
- the oscillator also provides a signal to a gate timing circuit 24 and mixer 26.
- a receiver 25 is connected between the crystal and the mixer 26. Outputs of the gate timing circuit are connected to the mixer 26, receiver 25 and transmitter 21.
- An output from the mixer 26 is filtered in a set of filters 27, optionally full wave rectified in a rectifier 28 and pitch shifted in pitch shifter 44, then amplified by amplifier 30 and output through an audio loudspeaker 29.
- Automatic gain control is optionally applied to maximise audio performance and improve dynamic range. Only one of the transmitter 21 and receiver 25 operate at any one time. This timing is controlled by the gate timing circuit 24.
- a passive redirector directs any signal coming from the transmitter to the crystal, outward from the transmitter and any signal coming into the crystal, inward to the receiver.
- the set of filters 27 removes the switching frequency between transmit and receive and a low frequency difference signal from the mixer 26, typically 100 hertz, is output to the pitch shifter 44 after filtering.
- the pitch shifter digitises the analogue signal, changes the sample rate by digital means and uses the samples to reproduce an analogue signal at the output.
- the output signal is similar to the input signal but with the frequencies shifted by a non-integer multiple. This signal is used to drive the loudspeaker through an audio amplifier 30.
- the rectifier 28 doubles the frequencies from the pitch shifter 44 in order that a small loudspeaker which does not work so well at very low frequencies, may be used.
- the ultrasonic frequency is of the order of 2MHz.
- the maximum depth of a reflected signal which can be detected is defined by the period for which a transmit pulse is transmitted t1, a delay period t2-t1 and a receive period t3-t2 as illustrated in Figure 4.
- the gate timing circuit 24 controls the timing. For a fixed delay between the end of the transmit period and the start of the receive period the depth from which the leading part of the transmitted pulse may be reflected and still be detected at the trailing end of the receive period is the maximum depth for detection.
- the minimum depth which can be detected by the receiver 25 is determined by the delay period between the end of the transmit pulse and the start of the receive period. This avoids feedback due to movement of the loudspeaker being detected because it is within the dead zone resulting from delay between the end t1 of the transmission period 45 and the start t2 of the reception period 46.
- the oscillator 22 is incorporated in a microprocessor 31.
- the gate timing circuitry is divided between the microprocessor 31 and the gate timer 24 and a correct oscillation frequency is achieved by a divide by two circuit 38.
- the doubled frequency signal output from the full wave rectifier 28 is input to a low pass filter 32, then converted to a digital signal by the A/D converter 33.
- the processor 31 the digitized signal is matched with stored data patterns to obtain a value for the heart rate which is then output to the digital display 36 via a display driver 35.
- the processor may be controlled by the operator via buttons 34.
- a power source 37 connected to the processor 31 provides for the monitor to be self-contained.
- the volume and ON switches 14,15,16 will be membrane switches. Under processor control the monitor will automatically switch off a fixed time after displaying a value for the heart rate unless the ON switch is depressed again.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Pregnancy & Childbirth (AREA)
- Gynecology & Obstetrics (AREA)
- Cardiology (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Reproductive Health (AREA)
- Physiology (AREA)
- Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
- Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A self contained hand held fetal detector comprises an ultrasonic receiver and transmitter (23). Selectively actuable ultrasonic receiving and transmitting circuits (25,21) are connected to the ultrasonic receiver and transmitter (23) with a controller (24) for actuating either the ultrasonic receiving circuit (25) or the ultrasonic transmitting circuit and a loudspeaker (29) connected to the ultrasonic receiving circuit (25) for generating an audio output signal. The detector comprises a single unit (13) and the controller (24) modifies at least one of the transmitted and received signals, to prevent interference in the received ultrasound.
Description
- This invention relates to a fetal heart detector, in particular to a hand held detector.
- Conventional fetal heart detectors include hand held, audible detectors which are formed in two parts connected via cabling. The first part is an ultrasonic probe having two angled ultrasonic crystals, one for transmission and one for reception. An ultrasonic signal is continuously transmitted typically at a frequency of 2 MHz and this causes reflections from surfaces in the medium through which it passes. The receiving crystal continuously senses reflected signals.
- If an object, off which the signals are reflected, moves this causes a doppler shift in the frequency which is detected. This doppler shift is typically in the audio range when caused by movement of a fetal heart wall and the signal can be amplified and output directly through an audio loudspeaker in the second part. The main advantage of an audio output to a pocket monitor is that it enables the mother to hear the fetal heartbeat, thus reassuring the mother. Additionally in view of its focused ultrasonic beam it allows earlier detection of the fetal heart beat than a bedside monitor where a larger transducer having a divergent beam is used.
- A hand held detector may be used by a mid-wife in the home or in a hospital, or by consultants to give the heart rate of the fetus. The heart rate may be displayed directly on the monitor.
- It is desirable that the cost of manufacture of such detectors should be kept as low as possible and that they should be easy to use and to carry. Conventional hand held detectors rely on continuous wave transmissions of ultrasonic signals. A continuous wave system has no limit on the distance of travel of a wave before its reflected wave can be detected in the receiving crystal. This means that movement of the loudspeaker in the output section will be detected by the receiving crystal unless there is some form of separation between the transducer and the output section. Typically, this is achieved by housing the transducer in a probe and using a separate audio unit connected to the probe by means of a cable.
- Other proposed solutions to this problem include providing the probe with a transmitter to transmit information via telemetry to a completely separate audio unit such as described in EP-A-0367251, or using infrared transmission. An alternative is to use headphones rather than a loudspeaker but this does not overcome the disadvantages inherent in two piece units which require additional connectors and separate manufacturing of the parts. The inclusion of connectors and cables automatically provides an undesirable level of unreliability and cost. Testing the complete unit requires the separately manufactured parts to be put together adding to the cost.
- In accordance with the present invention, a self contained hand held fetal detector comprises ultrasonic receiving and transmitting means; selectively actuable ultrasonic receiving and transmitting circuits connected to the ultrasonic receiving and transmitting means; control means for actuating either the ultrasonic receiving circuit or the ultrasonic transmitting circuit; and a loudspeaker connected to the ultrasonic receiving circuit for generating an audio output signal, the detector comprising a single unit and the control means including means for modifying at least one of the transmitted and received signals, to prevent interference in the received ultrasound.
- Preferably, the modifying means comprises means for causing a pulsed signal to be transmitted.
- The ultrasonic receiving circuit and ultrasonic transmitting circuit are actuated with a time delay, between the end of a transmission period and the start of a reception period, such that an area ahead of the transducer is provided in which everything reflected within that distance is not detected by the receiving circuit thereby cutting out near field interference and feedback due to the reflections affected by moving parts of the loudspeaker. This allows a single piece monitor to be manufactured.
- However, at high gain settings, an additional form of unwanted feedback can occur in the presence of strong reflections from large stationary objects within the depth range of the gated ultrasound signal. Vibrations from the loudspeaker once initiated by any means, will be mechanically coupled to the ultrasound transducer causing it to move microscopically relative to objects within its ultrasonic field. Such movements will cause reflections from stationary objects to be Doppler shifted and appear as audio on the loudspeaker. The process is then repeated resulting in an audio "positive feedback" tone when there should be no signal present.
- Preferably, the detector further comprises shift means to shift the frequency or phase of the audio signal by a non-integer multiple of the audio-frequency.
- Thus recirculating signals due to reflections within the depth range of the ultrasonic circuit, such as large organs of the mother, do not reinforce one another.
- A device which can fulfil this function is a "pitch shifter" which can be inserted into the audio amplifier section of the circuit. Such devices produce an output signal which is a frequency shifted version of any audio signal presented to the input. In the present application the signals of interest are already the result of a frequency shift (the Doppler effect) so provided the signals remain in the audio bandwidth the effect of being shifted once by a few semitones is of little significance. However, by using the device to give a frequency shift which is a non-integer multiple of the input frequencies, the effect on potential feedback signals is to change their frequency and hence their phase each time they re-circulate through the system so they are unable to reinforce and are quickly shifted out of the audio bandwidth preventing unwanted tones.
- Preferably, the audio signal is full wave rectified. This allows a smaller loudspeaker to be used.
- Preferably, the detector further comprises display means to display a digital output relating to a frequency of a signal received by the ultrasonic receiving circuit. For example, a digital output of the heart rate, may be displayed at the same time as the audio output, for the benefit of the midwife or consultant using the monitor.
- Preferably, the detector further comprises a sealed housing and wherein the loudspeaker is covered by an impermeable membrane.
- The seal and membrane are waterproof and dustproof, making cleaning easier and allowing the detector to be used during water births.
- Some examples of apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described and contrasted with a known example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
- Figure 1 shows a conventional monitoring unit;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a monitor in accordance with the present invention;
- Figure 3 is a block diagram of the circuit with the monitor;
- Figure 4 illustrates how maximum and minimum depths for reflection are determined; and,
- Figure 5 is a block diagram of a modified circuit for use with the monitor of Figure 2.
- In a conventional two piece system, such as that shown in Figure 1, a loudspeaker 9 is housed 40 separately from a
transducer circuit 41. In thecircuit 41, atransmitter 1 is driven by anoscillator 2 to excite a transmitting crystal 3. The transmitting crystal is angled relative to areceiving crystal 4 such that when an ultrasonic signal emitted from the crystal 3 impinges on a moving object and is reflected back it is reflected towards thereceiving crystal 4 with a differential frequency in the audio range. A signal received inreceiver 5 is rectified 6 and filtered in afilter 7 to obtain the differential audio frequency output which is then amplified by anamplifier 8. The amplified signal is output to the loudspeaker 9 via aconnection cable 44. - In Figure 2, a detector in accordance with the present invention is shown. A
loudspeaker 11,control switches single body 13 which provides a waterproof cover, together with their associated circuitry (not shown). Operation of the detector is via the pair ofcontrol switches single ON switch 16 for switching on the monitor. Anultrasonic transducer 17 is provided in one end of thebody 13 of the monitor. - Figure 3 shows a block diagram of one example of the circuits mounted within the
detector 13 of Figure 2. Atransmitter 21 is connected between anoscillator 22 and asingle crystal 23. The oscillator also provides a signal to agate timing circuit 24 andmixer 26. Areceiver 25 is connected between the crystal and themixer 26. Outputs of the gate timing circuit are connected to themixer 26,receiver 25 andtransmitter 21. An output from themixer 26 is filtered in a set offilters 27, optionally full wave rectified in arectifier 28 and pitch shifted inpitch shifter 44, then amplified byamplifier 30 and output through anaudio loudspeaker 29. Automatic gain control is optionally applied to maximise audio performance and improve dynamic range. Only one of thetransmitter 21 andreceiver 25 operate at any one time. This timing is controlled by thegate timing circuit 24. A passive redirector directs any signal coming from the transmitter to the crystal, outward from the transmitter and any signal coming into the crystal, inward to the receiver. - The set of
filters 27 removes the switching frequency between transmit and receive and a low frequency difference signal from themixer 26, typically 100 hertz, is output to thepitch shifter 44 after filtering. The pitch shifter digitises the analogue signal, changes the sample rate by digital means and uses the samples to reproduce an analogue signal at the output. The output signal is similar to the input signal but with the frequencies shifted by a non-integer multiple. This signal is used to drive the loudspeaker through anaudio amplifier 30. In this example, therectifier 28 doubles the frequencies from thepitch shifter 44 in order that a small loudspeaker which does not work so well at very low frequencies, may be used. Typically, the ultrasonic frequency is of the order of 2MHz. - The maximum depth of a reflected signal which can be detected is defined by the period for which a transmit pulse is transmitted t₁, a delay period t₂-t₁ and a receive period t₃-t₂ as illustrated in Figure 4. The
gate timing circuit 24 controls the timing. For a fixed delay between the end of the transmit period and the start of the receive period the depth from which the leading part of the transmitted pulse may be reflected and still be detected at the trailing end of the receive period is the maximum depth for detection. The minimum depth which can be detected by thereceiver 25 is determined by the delay period between the end of the transmit pulse and the start of the receive period. This avoids feedback due to movement of the loudspeaker being detected because it is within the dead zone resulting from delay between the end t₁ of thetransmission period 45 and the start t₂ of thereception period 46. - In another example of the present invention shown in Figure 5, the
oscillator 22 is incorporated in amicroprocessor 31. The gate timing circuitry is divided between themicroprocessor 31 and thegate timer 24 and a correct oscillation frequency is achieved by a divide by twocircuit 38. The doubled frequency signal output from thefull wave rectifier 28 is input to alow pass filter 32, then converted to a digital signal by the A/D converter 33. Within theprocessor 31 the digitized signal is matched with stored data patterns to obtain a value for the heart rate which is then output to thedigital display 36 via adisplay driver 35. The processor may be controlled by the operator viabuttons 34. Apower source 37 connected to theprocessor 31 provides for the monitor to be self-contained. - If a single crystal is used, it has the advantages of ease of manufacture and cost reductions although two parallel crystals could equally be used, one connected to each of the transmit and receive circuits.
- Typically, the volume and ON switches 14,15,16 will be membrane switches. Under processor control the monitor will automatically switch off a fixed time after displaying a value for the heart rate unless the ON switch is depressed again.
Claims (6)
- A self contained hand held fetal detector, the detector comprising ultrasonic receiving and transmitting means (23); selectively actuable ultrasonic receiving and transmitting circuits (25,21) connected to the ultrasonic receiving and transmitting means (23); control means (24) for actuating either the ultrasonic receiving circuit (25) or the ultrasonic transmitting circuit (21); and a loudspeaker (29) connected to the ultrasonic receiving circuit (25) for generating an audio output signal, the detector comprising a single unit (13) and the control means (24) including means for modifying at least one of the transmitted and received signals, to prevent interference in the received ultrasound.
- A detector according to claim 1, wherein the modifying means comprises means for causing a pulsed signal to be transmitted.
- A detector according to claim 1, wherein the modifying means comprise a pitch shifter (44) to adjust the frequency or phase of the detected received signal before it is output by the loudspeaker (29).
- A detector according to any preceding claim, wherein the audio signal is full wave rectified.
- A detector according to any preceding claim, further comprising display means (12) to display a digital output, relating to a frequency of a signal received by the ultrasonic receiving circuit (25).
- A detector according to any preceding claim, further comprising a sealed housing and wherein the loudspeaker (29) is covered by an impermeable membrane.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9322977 | 1993-11-08 | ||
GB939322977A GB9322977D0 (en) | 1993-11-08 | 1993-11-08 | Fetal heart detector |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0657137A1 true EP0657137A1 (en) | 1995-06-14 |
Family
ID=10744812
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94308177A Withdrawn EP0657137A1 (en) | 1993-11-08 | 1994-11-07 | Fetal heart detector |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5509416A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0657137A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9322977D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2803508A1 (en) * | 2000-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | Simon Bar | Auscultation equipment for foetal heartbeat includes microphone detector, filter and processing circuit producing audible output |
WO2010032206A1 (en) * | 2008-09-18 | 2010-03-25 | Freeplay Energy India Limited | Medical diagnostics system |
WO2010035022A1 (en) | 2008-09-23 | 2010-04-01 | Huntleigh Technology Limited | Fetal heart monitoring |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6751498B1 (en) | 1999-03-15 | 2004-06-15 | The Johns Hopkins University | Apparatus and method for non-invasive, passive fetal heart monitoring |
US6454716B1 (en) | 2000-05-23 | 2002-09-24 | P.M.G. Medica Ltd. | System and method for detection of fetal heartbeat |
US20090099465A1 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2009-04-16 | Summit Doppler Systems, Inc. | System and method for a non-supine extremity blood pressure ratio examination |
EP2618725A2 (en) | 2010-09-23 | 2013-07-31 | Summit Doppler Systems, Inc. | Evaluation of peripheral arterial disease in a patient using an oscillometric pressure signal obtained at a lower extremity of the patient |
CN102590805B (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2014-02-05 | 奇瑞汽车股份有限公司 | Ultrasonic circuit system for improving range-measuring accuracy |
US9375150B2 (en) | 2012-04-25 | 2016-06-28 | Summit Doppler Systems, Inc. | Identification of pressure cuff conditions using frequency content of an oscillometric pressure signal |
KR102577752B1 (en) | 2016-02-02 | 2023-09-12 | 삼성메디슨 주식회사 | Method of outputting a velocity of object and ultrasound apparatus thereof |
EP3415095B1 (en) * | 2017-04-10 | 2020-12-23 | Edan Instruments, Inc. | Doppler fetus heart meter |
JP6483911B1 (en) * | 2018-11-28 | 2019-03-13 | メロディ・インターナショナル株式会社 | Ultrasonic inspection equipment |
Citations (7)
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DE2808755A1 (en) * | 1978-03-01 | 1979-09-13 | Peter Dr Med Hoehne | Cardiac electrical potential display - has adjustable amplifier with electrodes and parallel optical and acoustic indicators |
US4226229A (en) * | 1978-03-31 | 1980-10-07 | Thomas D. Eckhart | Anatomy testing device |
WO1983003750A1 (en) * | 1982-04-22 | 1983-11-10 | Cryomedics, Inc. | Portable ultrasonic doppler system |
WO1987002878A1 (en) * | 1985-11-08 | 1987-05-21 | Renco Corporation | Housing for ultrasonic detector |
EP0307258A2 (en) * | 1987-08-14 | 1989-03-15 | Edap International | Procedure and circuit to characterise tissue by means of broad band ultrasonic pulse reflection, transfer of the echofrequency spectrum into the range of andible frequencies and diagnostics by hearing |
EP0359839A1 (en) * | 1988-09-17 | 1990-03-28 | Hewlett-Packard GmbH | Synchronous Demodulator |
US4986276A (en) * | 1989-05-22 | 1991-01-22 | Terry Wright | Flow detector |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3780725A (en) * | 1971-03-04 | 1973-12-25 | Smith Kline Instr | Fetal heartbeat monitoring system with plural transducers in one plane and at different angles thereto |
US5309915A (en) * | 1993-06-07 | 1994-05-10 | Mte, Inc. | Apparatus for locating veins and arteries |
-
1993
- 1993-11-08 GB GB939322977A patent/GB9322977D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-11-07 EP EP94308177A patent/EP0657137A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-11-07 US US08/335,465 patent/US5509416A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2808755A1 (en) * | 1978-03-01 | 1979-09-13 | Peter Dr Med Hoehne | Cardiac electrical potential display - has adjustable amplifier with electrodes and parallel optical and acoustic indicators |
US4226229A (en) * | 1978-03-31 | 1980-10-07 | Thomas D. Eckhart | Anatomy testing device |
WO1983003750A1 (en) * | 1982-04-22 | 1983-11-10 | Cryomedics, Inc. | Portable ultrasonic doppler system |
WO1987002878A1 (en) * | 1985-11-08 | 1987-05-21 | Renco Corporation | Housing for ultrasonic detector |
EP0307258A2 (en) * | 1987-08-14 | 1989-03-15 | Edap International | Procedure and circuit to characterise tissue by means of broad band ultrasonic pulse reflection, transfer of the echofrequency spectrum into the range of andible frequencies and diagnostics by hearing |
EP0359839A1 (en) * | 1988-09-17 | 1990-03-28 | Hewlett-Packard GmbH | Synchronous Demodulator |
US4986276A (en) * | 1989-05-22 | 1991-01-22 | Terry Wright | Flow detector |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2803508A1 (en) * | 2000-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | Simon Bar | Auscultation equipment for foetal heartbeat includes microphone detector, filter and processing circuit producing audible output |
WO2010032206A1 (en) * | 2008-09-18 | 2010-03-25 | Freeplay Energy India Limited | Medical diagnostics system |
WO2010035022A1 (en) | 2008-09-23 | 2010-04-01 | Huntleigh Technology Limited | Fetal heart monitoring |
US8579820B2 (en) | 2008-09-23 | 2013-11-12 | Huntleigh Technology Limited | Fetal heart monitoring |
AU2009295644B2 (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2014-12-18 | Arjo Ip Holding Ab | Fetal heart monitoring |
CN102164544B (en) * | 2008-09-23 | 2017-05-17 | 亨特来夫工业技术有限公司 | Fetal heart monitoring |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5509416A (en) | 1996-04-23 |
GB9322977D0 (en) | 1994-01-05 |
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